Combination counter-timer



March 18, 1969 F. w. PFLEGER l 3,433,405

` COMBINATION COUNTER-TIMER l Filed Nov. v:21, 196e l sheet l PIE 4 FIE.3

M4/Lf. ma'

mmh 1s, 1969 `Filed Nov. 21, 1966 Sheet NNN INVENTOR.

United States Patent O M' 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Signal means for signaling the occurrence of events, motive means for driving an indicator or the like, and operating means connected between the signal and motive means for actuating and deactuating the latter responsive to the former.

This invention relates generally to apparatus for counting and/ or timing a series of events.

The invention is especially concerned with a device for counting any desired or preselected number of events and simultaneously timing the event series, and includes unique subcombinations of counter and timer meansl While the device of the present invention has been primarily developed and employed for -use in the timing of races, say slot-car or other types of multilap races, wherein a race is of a predetermined number of laps, and although the instant apparatus will be illustrated and described hereinafter with particular reference to such use, it is .appreciated that the apparatus and components thereof are capable of many varied applications all of which are intended to be comprehended herein.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a series-of-events timer which is highly versatile in function, Abeing capable of continuous display throughout the timing operation of the number of events and elapsed time, and which is extremely simple in structure, durable and reliable throughout a long useful life, and substantially foolproof in operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a timer apparatus of the type described which, in addition to its race-timing function, is admirably well suited for use in training equipment for recording the period of time required for any given number of events, in testing apparatus :to record the period required to answer a predetermined number of questions, in processing apparatus to record the period of time occupied by any selected number of occurrences, as well as other applications which may occur to those versed in various arts.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a material part of this disclosure.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope will be indicated by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view illustrating the timing apparatus of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the circuitry of the instant apparatus;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal view illustrating one construction of counter for use in the instant apparatus; and

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and specifically to FIGURE 1 thereof, there is illustrated therein an external view of the instant apparatus includ- 3,433,405 Patented Mar. 18, 1969 ing a generally rectangular case or cabinet 10I having a front wall 11. In the indicating of number of occurrences for an elapsed period of time it is desirable that the indicators be located in such relation that a quick glance will present the information to a viewer. Toward this end the front cabinet wall 11 is provided with a pair of adjacent windows 12 and 13, the former exposing eventsindicator wheels 101 and the latter exposing timer wheels 110. Thus, a glance presents the observer with information of the number of events for an elapsed period of time.

The events-counter wheels 101 can be driven by any suitable drive system, such as a solenoid drive, stepping motor, or other. One advantageous construction will be described more fully hereinafter.

Presented through the cabinet front-wall window 13 may be timing wheels 110, driven by any suitatble means, such as a synchronous motor, or other well-known means.

Projecting forwardly from the cabinet front wall 11 may be a plurality of preselection-switch knobs 122, 123 and 124, each associated with a rotary preselection switch and with a respective column of the events indicator 101, as will appear hereinafter in greater detail. Numerical indicia may be provided on the cabinet front wall 11 in cooperation with each knob 122-124 for selection thereby of a predetermined number of events to be timed.

The cabinet 11 is also provided exteriorly thereof with an on-oif or power switch 130, an indicator-clear switch or button 135, and an indicator-start switch or button 140. These switches are used to control the operation of4 the timer, as will appear presently. Extending from the cabinet 11 may be a conductor or wire 145 for connection to a source of power, and another conductor 149 for connection to an events sensor or pickup 150. The pickup may be of any suitable type of signal producing means, say a sensing switch, photocell, transducer, or other.

Referring now to the diagrammatic representation of FIGURE 2, there are shown a plurality of rotary selector switches 222, 223 and 224, having respective arms or blades 222a, 223a and 224a for selective rotative location by knobs 122, 123 and 124. Connected in operative driving relation with each of the events indicator wheels 102, 103 and 104 is a respective rotary stepping switch 202, 203 and 204. That is, the units wheel 102 is connected to the rotary switch 202, the tens wheel 103 is connected to the rotary switch 203, and the hundreds wheel 104 is connected to the rotary switch 204. Of course, higher-order wheels and associated rotary switches may be employed, if desired.

The rotary-wheel operating switches 202, 203 and 204 may each be identical, and may be a ten-position switch, as in the illustrated embodiment. Also, the selector switches 222, 223 and 224` may each be identical and may be a ten-position switch, as shown. Further, the several positions or contacts of each selector switch 222, 223 and 224 are respectively connected to corresponding positions or contacts of switches 202, 203 and 204. As these corresponding connections are believed obvious from the drawing, a detailed description of the several conductors is not believed necessary. However, the arm or blade 202a of the switch 202 is electrically connected `by a conductor 205 to the arm blade 223a of the next-higher-order selector switch 223. Similarly, the arm or blade 203a of the switch 203 is connected by a conductor 206- to the arm or blade 224a of the next-higher selector switch 224. Of course, the switches may have different numbers of contacts or positions under a different indicating system, if desired.

The Wiper arm or blade 222:1 of the selector switch 222 is electrically connected by a conductor 207 to one side of the power switch 130. The other side of the power switch may be grounded. The arm or wiper blade 204a of the wheel switch 204 is electrically connected by a conductor 208 to the other side of the power supply or ground, in a manner appearing more fully hereinafter.

Thus, a closed circuit is developed between the conductors 207 and 208 when the wheel switches 202-204 are all located in the same positions as the respective selector switches 222-224. That is, if both the wheel switch 204 and selector switch 224 are positioned at numeral l the conductor 208 is connected through the arm 204g, and numeral l conductor of switches 204 and 224 to arm 224a. It switches 203 and 223 are both located at position 7 the arm 224a is electrically connected through conductor 206, arm 203m and numeral 7 conductor to arm 223a of switch 223. If switches 202 and 222 are both located on the numeral 4 position, 'arm 223a is connected through conductor 205, arm 202g and conductor numeral 4 to arm 222e of switch 222. The latter arm is connected to conductor 207 which completes the closed circuit. It will thus be apparent that when the wheel switches 202-204 attain the same positions as corresponding selector switches 222-224, a circuit is closed therethrough.

There are provided a plurality of relays respectively associated with initiation of operation, the sensing of events, and the stopping of operation. In particular, relay 270 is employed to initiate or start operation, relay 260 being employed to stop operation, and relay 250 being employed to actuate indication of events. The relays 250, 260 and 270 may be considered as operating means interconnected between the signal means or sensor 150 and the motive means or motor 290i.

In order to initiate operation of the device, after the power switch 130 has been closed, the start switch 140 may be closed, either manually or automatically, and is advantageously of the momentary-hold type. The start relay 270` may include normally open pairs of contacts 271, 272 and 273, while the events relay 250 may include normally open pairs of contacts 251, 252. The stop relay may include normally closed pairs of contacts 261, 262 and 264, and a normally open pair of contacts 263,

Initiation of operation is accomplished by closing start switch 140, which is connected on one side through a conductor 141 to normally closed contacts 264 of stop relay 260. A conductor 142 is connected from the contacts 264 to a conductor 143, which is rconnected to the coil of start relay 270, in turn connected to ground. The other side of start switch 140 is connected by a conductor 144, and an additional conductor 146 to conductor 207, which is connected to the hot side of the power switch 130. Thus, closing of start switch 140 completes a circuit through the coil of relay 270 to energize the latter and close the contacts of the start relay. The start-relay contacts 273 are connected on one side by a conductor 151 to the supplyline conductor 207, and connected on the other side by a conductor 152 to a timer motor 290 or other suitable motive means. The other side of the timer motor is connected by a conductor 153 to ground, so that a circuit is closed through the timer motor upon energization of the start relay 270 to close the contacts 273. The timer motor 290 powers the timer indicating wheels 111-114 by any suitable drive means, to provide an indication of elapsed time.

The contacts 272 of start relay 270 are connected on one side, as by a conductor 154 to conductor 151, and connected on their other side by a conductor 155 to one of the normally closed contacts 262 of relay 260. The other normally closed contact 262 is connected by a conductor 156 to the conductor 143, so that a closed circuit is provided through the coil of relay 270 serving to hold the latter relay energized upon release of the start switch 140, until the contacts 262 are opened.

The conductor 208 from arm 204:1 of wheel switch 204 is connected to one of the start-relay contacts 271.

The other of start relay contacts 271 is connected by a conductor 157 to the coil of stop relay 260. Hence, upon closure of the circuit described hereinbefore through the several wheel switches 202-204 and selector switches 222- 224, the stop relay 260 will be energized.

The wheel switches 202-204 are advanced or stepped responsive to the sensing of events by sensor 150, the latter being connected one one side by a conductor 158 to one normally closed contact 261 of stop relay 260'. The other contact 261 is connected by a conductor 159 to the coil of relay 250, the other side of the latter coil being grounded, The other side of sensor is connected by a conductor 160, which is in turn connected to the conductor 146 for electrical connection to the hot side of the power supply. Thus, the closure of a switch in the sensor 150 closes a circuit through the coil of relay 250` to energize the latter relay and close the events-relay contacts 251 and 252. The contacts 251 are connected on one side by a conductor 161 to the conductor 146 and thence to the hot side of the power supply. The other of contacts 251 is connected by a conductor 162 to a solenoid 280, which is grounded. The solenoid 280 may be of any suitable type to step the wheel switches 202, 203 and 204. The period of time the events-relay 250 is energized may be controlled by suitable time-delay means, which is well known in the art. The operation of wheel switches 202, 203 and 204 from the solenoid or other actuator 280 may also be of any conventional type, one preferred mechanism will be illustrated and described hereinafter.

Under certain conditions it may be desirable that the timing ibe started automatically in response to the occurrence of an event, rather than by a manual or other starting signal. Toward this end, the events relay 250` may have its pair of contacts 252 connected, as by a conductor 163 to conductor 160, for connection to the events sensor 150. The other of contacts 252 may be connected by a conductor 164 to conductor 143 for connection to the coil of relay 270. As noted hereinbefore, the events sensor 150 is connected by conductors 160 and 146 to the hot side of a power supply, while the ycoil of relay 270 is connected to the ground. Thus, a closed circuit is provided through the start-relay coil when the events relay is energized, as described hereinbefore, and the sensor is actuated. Of course, start relay 270 remains energized by the above-described relay-holding action through contacts 262 of stop relay 260.

The timing function of timer 290 is stopped in response to the establishment of a series circuit through the several wheel switches 202-204 and the selector switches 222- 224. More particularly, the coil of stop relay 260 is energized, when the above-described series is closed, through conductor 203, contacts 271 of start relay 270 and conductor 157 to the coil of relay 260. Upon energization of the coil of stop relay 260, the normally closed contacts 261, 262 and 264 open, and the normally open contacts 263 close. Opening of contacts 262 serves to deenergize start relay 270, opening its contacts 271, 272 and 273. The opening of contacts 273 opens the power circuit to timer motor 290 to stop the timing function. Restarting of the timing function by subsequent operations of the events sensor 150 or accidental operation of the start switch 1-40 is prevented by holding the stop relay energized. A normally open set of contacts 263 of stop relay 260 are respectively connected by a conductor 165' to conductor 146 for connection to the hot side of a power supply, and by a conductor 166 to a double-throw clear switch 135, which in its normal, illustrated condition is connected by a conductor 167 to the coil of stop relay 260 to maintain the latter energized by a self-holding operation. The stop relay is thus self-holding in its energized condition until the clear switch 13-7 is swung out of its illustrated position.

As contacts 261, 262 and 264 of the stop relay are open in the energized condition of the stop relay, signals from the events sensor 150 cannot energize the events relay 250, or the start relay 270. Also, power from the start switch 140 cannot effect actuation until the stop relay is deenergized.

The circuitry may be reset and the indicating dials or wheels cleared for a repeated recording operation by the manually operable clear switch 135. The clear switch 135 is normally closed to contact 237 and normally open to contact 239, the latter contact being connected by a conductor 168 to one side of a single-cycle clear motor 295, which is connected on its other side, as by a conductor 169 to ground. Upon manual operation of switch 135 to close contact 239, the clear motor 295 is operated, and the holding circuit through contacts 263 to the coil of stop relay 260 is opened to deenergize the latter relay. Deenergization of stop relay 260 returns the contacts of the stop relay to their initial position for repeated operation.

A preferred embodiment of counter or wheel switch is shon in FIGURES 3 and 4, which may be employed as one of the wheel switches 202, 203, 204.

In FIGURE 3 a baseplate or mount 302 is provided with a flange 303 which may carry a solenoid 280. The solenoid 280 includes a plunger 384 provided at its outer end with a collar 386, and a spring 382 may be circumposed `about the plunger in engagement with the collar to urge the plunger outward or rightward as seen in the drawing.

A generally flat shiftable member 310 is mounted on the baseplate 302 for longitudinal shifting or reciprocatory movement, as by pin-in-slot connections 306, 308, and the collar 386 is connected to the shiftable member 310 so that the latter is shifted or reciprocated upon energization of the solenoid 280. The shiftable member 310 may be provided with a central thru opening 305, and a ratchet wheel 340 is rotatably carried by the baseplate 302 and extends through the opening 305. Formed on the shiftable member 310, interiorly of the opening 305 and on opposite sides of the ratchet wheel 340 are a pushpawl 312 and a pull-pawl 314. The pawls 312 and 314 may be formed integrally with the shiftable member 310, as Iby being molded of plastic, and are designed for resilient bending of the pawls, as will appear presently. That is, upon inward or leftward movement of the shiftable member 310, the pull-pawl 314 pulls a tooth 342 of ratchet wheel 340 about one-half the pitch of the teeth, the pushpawl 312 simultaneously deflecting and riding over the next adjacent 4ratchet tooth. Upon return or rightward movement of the shiftable member 310, the push-pawl effects rotation of the ratchet wheel approximately one-half the tooth-pitch distance, and the pull-pawl returns rightward riding over a ratchet tooth. It will therefore be appreciated that energization of the solenoid 280 effects shifting of the shiftable member in one direction to cause approximately one-half a tooth-pitch-distance rotation or step of the ratchet wheel 340, and return of the solenoid plunger 384 by action of spring 382 effects the remaining stepping movement of the ratchet wheel.

In order to prevent override of the ratchet wheel during the indexing operation, the shiftable member 310 is provided interiorly of the opening 305 with formations 318 and 320 for holding engagement with the ratchet wheel 340.

Carried by the ratchet wheel 340 for rotation therewith is a display wheel 330, advantageously of a polygonal configuration to provide a plurality of chordally extending, intersecting peripheral faces 331. At the intersection of one adjacent pair of chordal faces 331 is secured a set of electrical contacts 332. Arranged circumferentially about the periphery of wheel 330, carried by the base 302, are a plurality of fixed contacts 334, such as resilient brushes carried by mounting posts 336. Thus, it will now be appreciated that an electrical output is available for each uniq-ue stepped position of the wheel 330 by use of the sensing brushes or fixed contacts 334 in cooperation with the movable contacts 332. Obviously, this construction may be used as a wheel switch 202-204. Also, the wheel 330 may be provided with additional contacts at spaced circumferential locations for cooperation with a single set of fixed contacts, if desired.

As the peripheral surfaces or faces 331 of wheel 330 are effectively radially inward of their intersections, at which are located the movable contacts 332, it will be understood that the fixed contacts or resilient brushes 334 engage in a wiping action only with the movable contacts, which results in a minimum of wear and drag force, as well as optimum electrical contact. The sensing brushes or contacts 334 are designed and located relative to the movable contacts 332 such that deflection of the fixed contacts occurs near the end of the indexing step or stroke of the solenoid.

Under certain conditions, it may be desirable to preset the counter or switch wheels 202-204 to some predetermined number, say to provide a handicap to one contestant of a multilap race. This may easily be accomplished by virtue of the arm or extension 316 of shiftable member 310 which may project externally of the cabinet 10 for manual actuation to preset the wheel 330 as desired.

As noted hereinbefore, the holding formations 318 and 320 on the shiftable member 310 engage with the ratchet wheel 340 to insure accurate indexing of the ratchet wheel for each back-and-forth movement of the shiftable member. Of course, it is understood that several such wheelswitch constructions as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 may be employed for indicating units, tens, etc., and may be connected together in any well-known manner, such as a geneva jump mechanism or solenoid-responsive drive.

From the foregoing it is seen that the present invention provides a combination counter-timer which fully accomplishes its intended objects and is well adapted to meet practical conditions of manufacture and use.

Although the present invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination, signal means for signaling the occurrences of events, motive means, and operating means connected between said signal and motive means for operating the latter responsive to operation of said signal means, said operating means comprising actuating means for actu-ating said motive means responsive to a predetermined signal of said signal means, and deactuating means for deactuating said motive means responsive to another predetermined signal of said signal means, said operating means including counter means, and said counter means comprising a rotor, a toothed wheel carried by said rotor, a plurality of fixed contacts arranged relative to said rotor for engagement therewith upon rotor rotation, a shiftable member mounted for reciprocatory movement transversely of the rotor axis responsive to signals from said signal means, and a pair of resiliently defiectable pawls carried by said shiftable member on opposite sides of the toothed wheel for successive abutting engagement therewith and riding thereover upon shifting-member movement in opposite directions.

2. The-combination according to claim 1, in combination with an -arm extending from said shiftable member for manually reciprocating the latter to preset said counter means.

3, The combination according to claim 1, said rotor comprising a polygonal wheel having a plurality of peripheral faces adapted to carry indicia.

4. The combination according to claim 3, in combination with movable contacts carried on the periphery of said wheel at the intersections of said faces for wiping engagement with said fixed contacts.

5. In a counter construction, the combination comprising -a rotor, a toothed wheel carried by said rotor, fixed contact means adjacent to said rotor for engagement therewith upon rotor rotation, a shiftable member mounted for reciprocatory movement Itransversely of the rotor axis, and a pair of resiliently deflectable pawls carried by said shiftable member on opposite sides of said toothed wheel for successive abutting engagement therewith and riding thereover upon shftable-member movement in opposite directions.

6. A counter construction according to claim 5, in combination with an arm extending from said shftable member for manually reciprocating the latter to preset said counter.

7. A counter construction according to claim 5, said rotor comprising `a polygonal wheel having a plurality of peripheral faces adapted lto carry indicia.

8. A counter construction according to claim 7, in cornbination with movable contact means carried on the periphery of said wheel at the intersecton of said faces for wiping engagement with said xed contact means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,121,634 12/1914 Julian 235--91 XR 2,177,367 10/1939 Klopsteg 58--152 2,208,164 7/1940 Sageman 23S-92 2,570,754 10/1951 Boling 58--152 3,034,715 5/1962 Wagner 235--132 STEPHEN J. TOMSKY, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

